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Growing Number of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Devices Affected by Insidious 'Touch Disease'
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And I'm sure you guys are both models of physical perfection.
Anyway - had my iPhone 6 Plus since about December 2015 - bought it pre-owned (no idea how old it is though!) and has lived in a case it's whole life. No problems as yet... but now getting worried whether this issue is likely to rear it's head as I do have a habit of keeping my phone in my jeans and they're pretty slim fitting so sure it takes a bit of a squeezing and a bending.
As the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus approach their second birthday, a growing number of users are suffering from what appears to be a latent manufacturing issue that presents as a gray flickering bar at the top of the screen and a display that's unresponsive or less responsive to touch.
In a new blog post and video, repair site iFixit says a number of third-party repair outlets have seen iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models affected by the bug, which appears to be very common. STS Telecom owner Jason Villmer says he sees faulty iPhone 6 and 6 Plus models multiple times a week, while another repair tech in Louisiana sees up to 100 iPhone 6 and 6 Plus devices that don't respond well to touch.
iFixit is calling the problem "Touch Disease," and says Apple appears to be aware of the issue based on dozens of complaints on Apple's support forum, but isn't "doing anything about it." Multiple people who brought their iPhones to Apple Stores were told that Apple doesn't recognize it as an issue and nothing could be done as their iPhones were out of warranty.
Putting pressure on the display of an affected iPhone or twisting the device appears to reverse the issue for a short period, but the gray bar returns and touch functionality grows worse and worse until the touchscreen stops functioning all together.
Replacing the display doesn't work as the problem is said to be caused by the touchscreen controller chips soldered to the logic board of the phone, and it's possible the damage is caused by the same structural design flaw that caused the major "Bendgate" controversy.According to iFixit, the only way to fix the problem is to replace the iPhone, replace the logic board, or replace the Touch ICs on the logic board, something Apple's in-house repair staff is not able to do. iFixit recommends users who are experiencing early symptoms of Touch Disease - an intermittently non-functional touch screen or hints of a gray bar - get their iPhones replaced outright if they're still under warranty.
For those without a warranty, iFixit suggests taking an affected iPhone 6 or 6 Plus to an electronics repair shop able to replace the chips. Apple doesn't approve of third-party repairs, but it may be the only solution until the problem is officially acknowledged by the company.
Article Link: Growing Number of iPhone 6 and 6 Plus Devices Affected by Insidious 'Touch Disease'
Finally glad to see this get an article. While I was under warranty in my first year, I had my entire phone replaced TWICE with this issue. (iPhone 6+)
The second time being the day before my warranty expired. About a month and a half ago it started again, and I was told my only option was to pay to replace the entire phone because it was out of warranty and Apple didn't recognize it as a widespread issue.
I suffered with it for 3 weeks until it became unbearable and finally my screen would no longer turn on. Now I'm running my old iPhone 5 until the 7 comes out. The thread about this on Apples support forums is huge, and it boggles my mind that Apple has done nothing but ignore it.
The second time being the day before my warranty expired. About a month and a half ago it started again, and I was told my only option was to pay to replace the entire phone because it was out of warranty and Apple didn't recognize it as a widespread issue.
I suffered with it for 3 weeks until it became unbearable and finally my screen would no longer turn on. Now I'm running my old iPhone 5 until the 7 comes out. The thread about this on Apples support forums is huge, and it boggles my mind that Apple has done nothing but ignore it.
The warranty on a replacement iPhone is either the original warranty or 90 days from the date of replacement, whichever is later.
I had mine in a case and it happened to my 6+—albeit after almost 2 years of use. I hadn't bent or seriously dropped my phone during that time and was still affected.
I used to work at one of the fruit stands and this issue has been ongoing for over a year. Bending it back would always temporarily fix the issue.
*Edit: Never saw this on the 6. Only the 6 Plus.
*Edit: Never saw this on the 6. Only the 6 Plus.
This is how you innovate and make people upgrade to a newer iphone!!
I was one of the unlucky ones that had this happen after about 16 months and without Applecare. I was told I'd have to pay the $329 + tax to replace the phone... I tried waiting it out a week and going back and again got the same speech and they claimed it was bent when no visible bend was showing... I never put it in my back pocket once.
I kept the receipt and email for the genius bar appointment hoping something like a class action suit would happen. So I should just wait and hope that occurs or is there some course of action I can take?
I kept the receipt and email for the genius bar appointment hoping something like a class action suit would happen. So I should just wait and hope that occurs or is there some course of action I can take?
Curious to find out how many MacRumors users have experienced this. Seems like only a very small handful compared to the many reported by the repair shops. I've not experienced any of the "TouchGate" symptoms myself but that could be because I've always used a hard case on my iPhone 6 Plus.
Apple really are scum if they try and ignore this.
"Do you or your loved ones suffer from TD? That's why I chose Apple Care. With Apple Care, I can touch an iPhone the way I want."
If you experience TD for more than 4 hours, please consult a genius. Symptoms of TD include out-of-warranty, bending, and lessened sensation. In rare cases, smashing occurs. Apple Care may not be right for everyone, and is not guaranteed to treat or lessen TD or its symptoms.
If you experience TD for more than 4 hours, please consult a genius. Symptoms of TD include out-of-warranty, bending, and lessened sensation. In rare cases, smashing occurs. Apple Care may not be right for everyone, and is not guaranteed to treat or lessen TD or its symptoms.
I fell for this - the "lower priced replacement" - at the time they told me it was new. Since then I know it's actually refurbished. So I went to unlock the new phone and guess what - it was owned by someone else on an active account and not eligible to be unlocked! When I asked Apple about it, they said, "nothing we can do, since AT&T is the one who has to unlock it."
WARNING TO ALL - right there in the store, check to see if the "low price" replacement phone you're about to buy from Apple is even legal.
Took my out of warranty 6 Plus back to an Apple Store (I'm in Australia btw) with the same issue and received a refurb phone without any hassle at all.
I. Was. Stunned.
Once the assistant checked it for damage and eventually witnessed the issue (it decided to behave for that 15 minutes!) she took it out back to a technician who authorised the replacement straight away.
I. Was. Stunned.
Once the assistant checked it for damage and eventually witnessed the issue (it decided to behave for that 15 minutes!) she took it out back to a technician who authorised the replacement straight away.
Hmmmmmm. Do I say something or not? My phone just started exhibiting these problems. I have AppleCare, and called tech support. They (after having me try a few things I had already done) made me an appointment at an Apple Store. I went in, waited an hour past my appointment time--the techs were swamped--but when I talked to the tech he went and got me a new iPhone 6+, and set it up. No charge since I had AppleCare.
Edit- I didn't see anyone else there with this problem. The most common problem was a phone or iPad with a cracked or shattered screen.
Edit- I didn't see anyone else there with this problem. The most common problem was a phone or iPad with a cracked or shattered screen.
How is this Tim Cook or Apple's fault? you should blame those who manufacturing those components not Apple! iPhone 6 is already 2 years old anyway, don't you think it's time for an upgrade? Apple sells phones to celebrities..no one forced you to come from Android (cheap OS) to iPhone! You did it voluntarily!
